Aloe vera is one of the most popular medicinal household plants. In most home remedies regarding skin, hair, or overall health, the name aloe vera comes up frequently.
This plant has several purposes and has a unique design and texture, making it a must-have in our garden.
If you are thinking about planting an aloe vera plant in your garden or are wondering how long it takes for it to grow fully, you have come to the right place. Let us learn more about this beauty.
How fast do aloe plants grow?
A typical healthy aloe vera plant will take about 3-4 years to fully mature. Fully mature means appropriate thickness and density, and the length of the leaves will be 8-10 inches (or 20-25 cm).
This growth rate depends on various factors – the type of soil, frequency of watering, adding of fertilizers, the amount of sunlight (or artificial light), and the overall care you are providing.
If you provide a proper environment, the growth rate increases and the grown plant become much fuller and healthier.
Aloe plants growth rate
Although Aloe vera plants are generally low maintenance plants, they require a proper care routine to develop correctly.
If the plant is appropriately taken care of, it takes approximately 1-2 weeks for new leaves to grow. You can see some substantial growth in about a month.
For aloe vera to fully mature from a pup to an adult plant, it takes about four years. Again, the growth rate is not constant.
It varies according to the various steps you take to pamper the plant. The plant matures faster and is healthier if proper care is given right from the start.
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How can I make my aloe vera grow bigger?
When given proper care right from the planting stage, it is possible to increase the growth rate of aloe vera plants. Let us see some measures that will help your plant to grow big fast.
Watering:
Aloe vera, being succulent, does not do well when over watered. Succulent plants hold water in their leaves.
So over watering might do the opposite of your intention. Make sure to only water the plant when the upper layer is completely dried out. The roots of this plant rot if you keep them in water for long.
Choose the suitable soil:
The suitable soil for an aloe vera plant is the one that does not retain water for long. Make sure you use well-drained soil for potting your plant.
Use a cactus mix or mix some sand or perlite so that it drains water well. You should not use clay-based soil that holds water for long hours for aloe vera or any succulents.
You can use fertilizers if you see the need for them. If required, use a succulent fertilizer and dilute it before.
Generally, there is no need for fertilizer in an aloe vera plant if you take proper care of it. But a thumb rule for using fertilizer for aloe vera plants is- Less is more.
Choose the right pot:
Choosing the right pot goes a long way in maintaining the health of your aloe vera plant. Choose a terracotta or clay pot for potting the plant as they absorb the excess moisture and prevent the roots from rotting.
The pot should have enough draining holes to remove the excess water from overwatering the plant. Also, make sure the pot provides enough room for the roots of the plant to grow.
Sunlight:
When talking about sun exposure for aloe vera plants, moderation is the key. Although these plants require a lot of light, they cannot withstand direct scorching sunlight for long.
Too much sun might dry out the plant. If there are dark marks on its leaves after placing in direct sunlight, you should place it in an area where it receives indirect sunlight.
Also, an aloe vera plant cannot survive in complete shade without any sunlight. If sunlight is not an option (like indoor plants), you can also try artificial grow lights.
Temperature:
The ideal temperature range for an aloe vera plant is 55-80 F (or 13-27 C). In temperatures greater than this, the plant might lose too much water, and its leaves might dry out.
If the temperature is lower than its lower limit, the plant has difficulty surviving and might not develop in its total capacity.
Make sure you maintain the temperature in the ideal range. You can move the plant inside if it’s too hot or cold outside.
Repotting the plant:
Aloe vera plant produces pups that tend to grow from the mother plants. These plants take up the resources and space that it requires for proper growth of the mother plant and the pup.
Also, sometimes the plant itself becomes too big for the pot.
If you are considering repotting, make sure you pick the right pot. Choose a wide pot and not too deep because a wide pot gives enough room for the roots to spread.
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Inside Vs. Outside: Where should you grow aloe plants?
If the temperatures in your region are nearly in the range suitable for aloe vera, it is best to keep the plant outdoors.
Aloe vera does its best work outdoors with partial sunlight. The best place to keep this plant is out on a covered porch.
This way, it gets indirect light and grows appropriately. However, if you live in a freezing climate, keeping this plant outside is not a good idea.
FAQs
Are aloe plants hard to grow?
Answer: No. Aloe vera plants are one of the least maintenance plants. Being succulents, they do not require a lot of watering.
A few key points mentioned above must be kept in mind while caring for an aloe vera plant. After that, you have to wait, and after it is fully grown, you can utilize its leaves for various medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
How long does it take for aloe vera leaf to grow back?
Answer: The aloe vera leaves that you cut will not grow back. But the plant continues growing and makes up for those leaves.
The new leaves grow in place of them, and it takes approximately three to five months for them to reach a medium size and for you to cut it again. But this is not a well-established fact. The production and growth of new leaves generally depend on the health and size of your plant.
How long does it take for an aloe plant to bloom?
Answer: The aloe vera plant will bloom once it fully matures. So, it takes around four years for a newly planted aloe vera plant to produce flowers.
If you get worried that your plant is not producing flowers, it is because the plant is too young for it.
Also, not all aloe vera plants produce flowers. Some might not produce them because of specific environmental conditions- like too hot or too cold climate.
How Long It Takes for Aloe Vera To Grow from Seed?
Answer: It takes about two to four weeks to see growth from seeds depending upon the species. After planting the seeds, keep the soil’s surface moist by spraying water until the seeds sprout.
Make sure the younger seedlings stay on a heat source for two weeks until they develop roots.
After they develop the roots, you can repot them into a bigger plant and water them less frequently, as mentioned above.
How long does it take for aloe vera to grow outdoors?
Answer: Generally, it takes an aloe vera plant three to four years to fully mature. Keeping it outside may accelerate its growth a little bit.
But make sure the temperature outside is not extreme. Extreme cold or hot temperatures do not serve well when trying to grow a healthy aloe vera plant.
Even outside, you have to make sure not to place it in direct sunlight for too long as this might lead to straining leaves, brown spots, and stunted growth.
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Conclusion
Aloe vera plants are not only a beautiful but beneficial addition to your garden.
From drinking aloe vera juice for better metabolism to applying it on the face for smoother and softer skin, having this plant never disappoints.
It is a very aesthetically pleasing plant that can easily be grown in your garden or inside your house (near a window).
With little effort, you can utilize so many remedies that aloe vera leaves offer and have a very unique-looking plant in your house.